The Art of Toasting – My Top 10 Favorite Wine Toasts
February 22, 2012
I truly do think it’s unfortunate that the art of reciting a proper “toast” is a lost tradition.
Only at weddings do we hear the occasional “Cheers!” but a toast (when it’s done right) can make an otherwise forgettable “clink” of glasses that ever-the-more memorable. For this reason, if you’re going to attempt a toast, I recommend it be short, witty and appropriate to the situation (NB: you may want to skip toast #10 in any formal gathering)!
The history of toasting can actually be traced back to the ancient Greek practice of raising goblets in the air (to the gods) to ensure the wine was not poisoned. However, the actual term “toast” came from the Roman practice of adding a burnt piece of bread to inferior wines in order to reduce their acidity. (NB: I felt like adding a piece of burnt bread to a glass of wine I had last night…but that’s another story)
I spent a little time scouring the Information-Super-Highway, and these are my 10 favorite wine toasts from what I could find:
Posted in Facts | Tagged Champagne toast, How to make a Toast, How to toast at a wedding, Toasting at Weddings, Wine Toasts | Leave a comment //Prohibition Did What?!
February 21, 2012A beer/wine-goggled look at the Volstead Act of 1920.
(Click for larger view)
Open That Bottle Night 2012
February 21, 2012
I’m so glad I checked the date on this! It almost got away from me…
Open That Bottle Night is this Saturday (February 25th).
An event created by former Wall Street Journal wine columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, the night marks the much needed occasion for people around the world to crack open a bottle they’ve been saving, but have never been able to find that “special occasion”.
As Dorothy and John put it “…the bottle doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive, what matters are the memories!”
If you haven’t participated in OTBN before, now is your big chance! I haven’t quite decided what I’m going to open yet, as my Saturday is going to be quite hectic; but I can assure you that even I’ve fallen into the trap of hanging onto wines for too long, only for them to be over-the-hill. Make sure it doesn’t happen to you!
To catch-up with Dorothy and John, click here for their Facebook Page.
Posted in News | Tagged Dorothy J. Gaiter, John Brecher | 1 Comment //Fiftyrow Spring Mountain Syrah, Napa Valley, California.
February 19, 2012
Grape
100% Syrah
Facts
- There was such a huge amount of press over previous years on how Syrah was supposed to be “the next big thing”, and then more recently how that just never really panned out.
Personally, I don’t see any need for people to wait around for a grape / wine to be named “so hot right now” before you give it your attention (i.e. hard earned $’s).
Look at what happened to Malbec! The grape started to get popular based on the favorable price-to-quality ratio of the wines on the market; but then huge brands started to pump out watered-down garbage and flood grocery store shelves with it, leaving the consumer with a skewed opinion on what the grape is really capable of. I’m not looking for that same thing to happen to Syrah.
Why Social and Selling Don’t Mix….Another Nail in the Coffin for the Question of ROI in Social Media.
February 19, 2012
The news this week reported on Bloomberg.com doesn’t exactly help provide the answer businesses were looking for, in respect to the question: “What is the true ROI of social media?”
Bloomberg reported the following:
“Last April, Gamestop opened a store on Facebook in an attempt to generate sales from their growing fanbase of 3.5 million-plus customers who’d declared themselves “fans” of the video game retailer. Less than 6 months later, the store has been quietly closed.
Over the past year, Gap Inc., J.C. Penney and Nordstrom have all opened and closed storefronts on Facebook Inc.’s social networking site.
Facebook, which just this month filed for its IPO, was tipped to be a top shopping destination for its 845 million+ members. The stores’ quick failure shows that the social network doesn’t drive commerce and casts doubt on its value for retailers.”
So the upshot of it all is that you can’t sell to people when they’re socializing. When you put it like that, it’s hard to understand why businesses are so hung-up on trying to assign a $-value to their online social efforts. It probably needs to be pointed out (although it shouldn’t have to be) is that there is a huge difference between "the internet" and "social media." That difference is the word "social".
Posted in News, Social Media | Tagged Facebook, ROI of social media, Social Media, Social Media for Wineries | Leave a comment //Chateau Drew Barrymore.
February 18, 2012
Drew Barrymore is the latest celeb that has entered the wine business. Wilson Daniels Ltd. has been named the U.S. importer for Barrymore Wines. Drew’s first offering is a Pinot Grigio from Italy.
Barrymore Pinot Grigio is an IGT Delle Venezie, made from grapes grown the Triveneto area, comprised of three of Italy’s most northern regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto—regions renowned for producing crisp and fruity white wines.
The Barrymore label showcases her family crest and was designed by Shepard Fairey, the popular street artist/designer behind the Obama Hope poster of 2008.
Drew Barrymore joins an esteemed collection of celebrities in the wine business around the world that includes Francis Ford Coppola, Antonio Banderas, Wayne Gretzsky and Sam Neill.
The wine will launch in California, with broader distribution planned for spring 2012 and has a suggested retail price of $19.99.
Click here for the full link.
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